Isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor act in a coordinate fashion To recruit and expand tumor vasculature

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential regulator of vascularization. It is expressed as several splice variants; the major forms contain 120 amino acids, 164 amino acids, and 188 amino acids. We utilized transformed cells nullizygous for VEGF to specifically express each of these isoforms in isolation, in order to determine the role of each in tumorigenic neo-vascularization. We found that only the intermediate isoform, VEGF164, could fully rescue tumor growth; VEGF120 partially rescued tumor growth, and VEGF188 failed completely to rescue tumor expansion. Surprisingly, the vascular density of VEGF188 isoform-expressing tumors is significantly greater than that of wild-type VEGF cells and the other isoform-specific tumors. The failure of the hypervascular VEGF188-expressing tumors to grow may be due to inadequate perfusion of the massive number of microvessels in these tumors; three-dimensional imaging of the tumorigenic vasculature indicated little or no recruitment of the peripheral vasculature. This demonstrates that the VEGF isoforms perform unique functions which together enable tumorigenic vascularization.     

Tumour Cells Expressing Single VEGF Isoforms Display Distinct Growth,Survival and Migration Characteristics

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) is produced by most cancer cells as multiple isoforms, which display distinct biological activities. VEGF plays an undisputed role in tumour growth, vascularisation and metastasis; nevertheless the functions of individual isoforms in these processes remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of three main murine isoforms (VEGF188, 164 and 120) on tumour cell behaviour, using a panel of fibrosarcoma cells we developed that express them individually under endogenous promoter control. Fibrosarcomas expressing only VEGF188 (fs188) or wild type controls (fswt) were typically mesenchymal, formed ruffles and displayed strong matrix-binding activity. VEGF164- and VEGF120-producing cells (fs164 and fs120 respectively) were less typically mesenchymal, lacked ruffles but formed abundant cell-cell contacts. On 3D collagen, fs188 cells remained mesenchymal while fs164 and fs120 cells adopted rounded/amoeboid and a mix of rounded and elongated morphologies respectively. Consistent with their mesenchymal characteristics, fs188 cells migrated significantly faster than fs164 or fs120 cells on 2D surfaces while contractility inhibitors accelerated fs164 and fs120 cell migration. VEGF164/VEGF120 expression correlated with faster proliferation rates and lower levels of spontaneous apoptosis than VEGF188 expression. Nevertheless, VEGF188 was associated with constitutively active/phosphorylated AKT, ERK1/2 and Stat3 proteins. Differences in proliferation rates and apoptosis could be explained by defective signalling downstream of pAKT to FOXO and GSK3 in fs188 and fswt cells, which also correlated with p27/p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor over-expression. All cells expressed tyrosine kinase VEGF receptors, but these were not active/activatable suggesting that inherent differences between the cell lines are governed by endogenous VEGF isoform expression through complex interactions that are independent of tyrosine kinase receptor activation. VEGF isoforms are emerging as potential biomarkers for anti-VEGF therapies. Our results reveal novel roles of individual isoforms associated with cancer growth and metastasis and highlight the importance of understanding their diverse actions.     

Adenoviral expression of vascular endothelial growth factor splice variants differentially regulate bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being explored for clinical applications, and genetic engineering represents a useful strategy for boosting the therapeutic potency of MSCs. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-based gene therapy protocols have been used to treat tissue ischemia, and a combined VEGF/MSC therapeutics is appealing due to their synergistic paracrine actions. However, multiple VEGF splice variants exhibit differences in their mitogenicity, chemotactic efficacy, receptor interaction, and tissue distribution, and the differential regulatory effects of multiple VEGF isoforms on the function of MSCs have not been characterized. We expressed three rat VEGF-A splice variants VEGF120, 164, and 188 in MSCs using adenoviral vectors, and analyzed their effects on MSC proliferation, differentiation, survival, and trophic factor production. The three VEGF splice variants exert common and differential effects on MSCs. All three expressed VEGFs are potent in promoting MSC proliferation. VEGF120 and 188 are more effective in amplifying expression of multiple growth factor and cytokine genes. VEGF164 on the other hand is more potent in promoting expression of genes associated with MSC remodeling and endothelial differentiation. The longer isoform VEGF188, which is preferentially retained by proteoglycans, facilitates bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7)-mediated MSC osteogenesis. Under serum starvation condition, virally expressed VEGF188 preferentially enhances serum withdrawal-mediated cell death involving nitric oxide production. This work indicates that seeking the best possible match of an optimal VEGF isoform to a given disease setting can generate maximum therapeutic benefits and minimize unwanted side effects in combined stem cell and gene therapy.     

Relation between expression of TNF alpha, iNOS, VEGF mRNA and development of heart failure after experimental myocardial infarction in rats.

An injury to the heart due to myocardial infarction (MI) may progress to heart failure. Among factors, whose interactions promote remodeling of ischemic myocardium, the increased expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) was found. However, little is known about the temporal and spatial relation between expression of iNOS, cytokine TNFalpha, and growth factor VEGF during pathological process of development of heart failure after the myocardial infarction. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for experimental myocardial infarction. The procedure was performed by anterolateral thoracotomy and snearing LAD with the metal clip. The hemodynamic measurements were done with the Langendorff preparation converted into a working heart system. The hemodynamic parameters were recorded at day 6, 11, 28, 40 and the myocardium for gene expression was collected at day 1, 4, 11, 28, 40. Control group was sham operated rats. The VEGF, TNFalpha, iNOS, and GAPDH genes were detected by RT-PCR assay from samples taken at border zone of myocardial infarction. Expression of isoform VEGF120 was found at day 1 and 4 after MI, whereas isoforms VEGF164 and VEGF188 along with expression of TNFalpha and iNOS was found at day 1, 4, 11, 28, 40. No expression of examined genes was detected in the myocardium of control rats. The expression of studied factors was parallel with development of heart failure after myocardial infarction assessed by hemodynamic measurements. These findings confirm the postulated involvement of TNFalpha, iNOS and growth factor VEGF in the remodeling of the myocardium and development of heart failure after experimental myocardial infarction.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin in liver regeneration

Liver architecture remodeling following partial hepatectomy (PHx) involves the formation of a complex network of liver sinusoids through which the blood flows. The present study examines the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (ang-1) during liver regeneration. Following PHx, VEGF and ang-1 mRNA levels increase, followed by gradual return to baseline levels. RT-PCR analysis of VEGF mRNA reveals three isoforms, VEGF120, VEGF164 and VEGF188. Of the three, VEGF188 is the predominant isoform, VEGF120 being the less abundant. Although VEGF mRNA fluctuates following PHx, the relative expression of each isoform remains the same throughout the recovery process. The level of neuropilin-1, an accessory receptor of VEGF to main receptor corresponds with that of VEGF and ang-1. We have previously demonstrated the capacity of exogenous VEGF165 to stimulate liver cell proliferation following PHx. We now report similar effect using VEGF121, further demonstrating the benefit of manipulating growth factors where such an intervention is required.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoform regulation of early forebrain development

This work was designed to determine the role of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) isoforms during early neuroepithelial development in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), specifically in the forebrain. An emerging model of interdependence between neural and vascular systems includes VEGF, with its dual roles as a potent angiogenesis factor and neural regulator. Although a number of studies have implicated VEGF in CNS development, little is known about the role that the different VEGF isoforms play in early neurogenesis. We used a mouse model of disrupted VEGF isoform expression that eliminates the predominant brain isoform, VEGF164, and expresses only the diffusible form, VEGF120. We tested the hypothesis that VEGF164 plays a key role in controlling neural precursor populations in developing cortex. We used microarray analysis to compare gene expression differences between wild type and VEGF120 mice at E9.5, the primitive stem cell stage of the neuroepithelium. We quantified changes in PHH3-positive nuclei, neural stem cell markers (Pax6 and nestin) and the Tbr2-positive intermediate progenitors at E11.5 when the neural precursor population is expanding rapidly. Absence of VEGF164 (and VEGF188) leads to reduced proliferation without an apparent effect on the number of Tbr2-positive cells. There is a corresponding reduction in the number of mitotic spindles that are oriented parallel to the ventricular surface relative to those with a vertical or oblique angle. These results support a role for the VEGF isoforms in supporting the neural precursor population of the early neuroepithelium.     

Molecular cloning and expression of bovine (Bos taurus) leptin receptor isoform mRNAs

We characterized Bos taurus leptin receptor (Ob-R) isoform mRNAs as well as their expression in different tissues, including some adipose depots (perirenal, subcutaneous and intermuscular adipose tissues). Based on the GenBank database sequences of the bovine partial Ob-R, primers were designed to amplify cDNAs of bovine Ob-R isoforms. The full-length cDNAs of bovine the Ob-R isoforms were cloned by combination with 3'-and 5'-RACE. Three bovine Ob-R isoform cDNAs were cloned and the sequence analyses revealed that these cDNAs were bovine Ob-R isoforms, i.e., the long form (Ob-Rb), the middle form (Ob-Ra) and the short form (Ob-Rc). The open reading frames of Ob-Ra, Ob-Rb and Ob-Rc gene were 2688, 3498 and 2673 bp, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences suggested that the isoforms were single transmembrane proteins, and differed in the C-terminal amino acid sequences. The amino acid sequence of these bovine Ob-R isoforms showed 73-75% identity compared with the corresponding mouse isoforms. The tissue-specific expression of the bovine Ob-R isoforms were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of Ob-Rb was highest in liver, heart, spleen and kidney, with lower expression in lung and testis, and slight expression in muscle. Ob-Ra was highly expressed in liver and spleen, whereas moderate expression was observed in heart, testis, and muscle, and its expression was the lowest in lung and kidney. Ob-Rc mRNA was expressed in the liver, heart, testis, kidney and muscle, but not in the lung and spleen. In adipose tissues, higher expression of Ob-Ra and Ob-Rb mRNA was observed in intermuscular adipose tissue than in subcutaneous or perirenal adipose tissues. Ob-Ra mRNA level was positively correlated with Ob-Rb mRNA level in the adipose tissues (r=0.81, P<0.05). The results demonstrated that each Ob-R isoform mRNA was differentially expressed in various tissues of cattle, which may be involved in the difference of peripheral actions for leptin.     

L-Maf,a downstream target of Pax6, is essential for chick lens development

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis is an important part of bone formation. To clarify the role of VEGF isoforms in endochondral bone formation, we examined long bone development in mice expressing exclusively the VEGF120 isoform (VEGF120/120 mice). Neonatal VEGF120/120 long bones showed a completely disturbed vascular pattern, concomitant with a 35% decrease in trabecular bone volume, reduced bone growth and a 34% enlargement of the hypertrophic chondrocyte zone of the growth plate. Surprisingly, embryonic hindlimbs at a stage preceding capillary invasion exhibited a delay in bone collar formation and hypertrophic cartilage calcification. Expression levels of marker genes of osteoblast and hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation were significantly decreased in VEGF120/120 bones. Furthermore, inhibition of all VEGF isoforms in cultures of embryonic cartilaginous metatarsals, through the administration of a soluble receptor chimeric protein (mFlt-1/Fc), retarded the onset and progression of ossification, suggesting that osteoblast and/or hypertrophic chondrocyte development were impaired. The initial invasion by osteoclasts and endothelial cells into VEGF120/120 bones was retarded, associated with decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9. Our findings indicate that expression of VEGF164 and/or VEGF188 is important for normal endochondral bone development, not only to mediate bone vascularization but also to allow normal differentiation of hypertrophic chondrocytes, osteoblasts, endothelial cells and osteoclasts.     

Tissue distribution and cell type-specific expression of p120ctn isoforms.

Cadherin-based molecular complexes play a major role in cell-cell adhesion. At the adherens junctions the intracellular domain of cadherins specifically interacts with beta-catenin and p120ctn, members of the Armadillo repeat protein family. Differential splicing and utilization of the alternative translation initiation codons lead to many p120ctn isoforms. Two major p120ctn isoforms are expressed in mouse tissues. In this study we used indirect immunofluorescence to demonstrate significant tissue specificity in expression of the p120ctn isoforms. The short isoform is abundant at cell-cell adhesion junctions in epidermis, palatal, and tongue epithelia, in the ducts of excretory glands, bronchiolar epithelium, and in mucosal epithelia of esophagus, forestomach, and small intestine. In contrast, the long isoform, containing an amino terminus highly conserved within the p120ctn subfamily, is expressed at vascular-endothelial cell junctions in blood vessels, at cell-cell junctions in the serosal epithelium lining the internal organs, in choroid plexus of brain, in the pigment epithelium of retina, and in structures such as the outer limiting membrane of retina and intercalated discs of cardiomyocytes. The tissue- and cell type-specific expression of p120ctn isoforms suggests a role for the long p120ctn isoform in cell structures responsible for stable tissue integrity, compared to the role of the short isoform in cell-cell adhesion in the external epithelia with rapid turnover.     

Molecular mapping and functional characterization of the VEGF164 heparin-binding domain

The longer splice isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), including mouse VEGF164, contain a highly basic heparin-binding domain (HBD), which imparts the ability of these isoforms to be deposited in the heparan sulfate-rich extracellular matrix and to interact with the prototype sulfated glycosaminoglycan, heparin. The shortest isoform, VEGF120, lacks this highly basic domain and is freely diffusible upon secretion. Although the HBD has been attributed significant relevance to VEGF-A biology, the molecular determinants of the heparin-binding site are unknown. We used site-directed mutagenesis to identify amino acid residues that are critical for heparin binding activity of the VEGF164 HBD. We focused on basic residues and found Arg-13, Arg-14, and Arg-49 to be critical for heparin binding and interaction with extracellular matrix in tissue samples. We also examined the cellular and biochemical consequences of abolishing heparin-binding function, measuring the ability of the mutants to interact with VEGF receptors, induce endothelial cell gene expression, and trigger microvessel outgrowth. Induction of tissue factor expression, vessel outgrowth, and binding to VEGFR2 were unaffected by the HBD mutations. In contrast, the HBD mutants showed slightly decreased binding to the NRP1 (neuropilin-1) receptor, and analyses suggested the heparin and NRP1 binding sites to be distinct but overlapping. Finally, mutations that affect the heparin binding activity also led to an unexpected reduction in the affinity of VEGF164 binding specifically to VEGFR1. This finding provides a potential basis for previous observations suggesting enhanced potency of VEGF164 versus VEGF120 in VEGFR1-mediated signaling in inflammatory cells.     

Transforming growth factor-beta1 stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor 164 via mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3-p38alpha and p38delta mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway in murine mesangial cells

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a potent inducer of extracellular matrix synthesis leading to progressive glomerular fibrosis. The intracellular signaling mechanisms involved in this process remain incompletely understood. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a major stress signal transducing pathway that is rapidly activated by TGF-beta1 in mesangial cells. We have previously demonstrated MKK3 as the immediate upstream MAPK kinase required for selective activation of p38 MAPK isoforms, p38alpha and p38delta, and stimulation of pro-alpha1(I) collagen by TGF-beta1 in murine mesangial cells. In this study, we further sought to determine MAPK kinase 3 (MKK3)-dependent TGF-beta1 responses by gene expression profiling analysis utilizing mesangial cells isolated from Mkk3-/- mice compared with Mkk3+/+ controls. Interestingly, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was identified as a TGF-beta1-induced gene affected by deletion of Mkk3. VEGF is a well known endothelial mitogen, whose actions in nonendothelial cell types are still not well understood. We confirmed that TGF-beta1 increased VEGF mRNA and protein synthesis of VEGF164 and VEGF188 isoforms in wild-type mesangial cells. However, in the Mkk3-/- mesangial cells, both TGF-beta1-induced VEGF mRNA and VEGF164 protein expression were inhibited, whereas TGF-beta1-induced VEGF188 protein expression was unaffected. Furthermore, transfection of dominant negative mutants of p38alpha and p38delta resulted in marked inhibition of TGF-beta1-induced VEGF164 expression but not VEGF188, and treatment with recombinant mouse VEGF164 increased collagen and fibronectin mRNA expression in mesangial cells. Taken together, our findings suggest a critical role for the MKK3-p38alpha and p38delta MAPK pathway in mediating VEGF164 isoform-specific stimulation by TGF-beta1 in mesangial cells. Further, VEGF164 stimulates collagen and fibronectin expression in mesangial cells and thus in turn enhances TGF-beta1-induced extracellular matrix and may play an important role in progressive glomerular fibrosis.     

Aminopeptidase P isozyme expression in human tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cell fractions

Aminopeptidase P (APP) isoforms specifically remove the N-terminal amino acid from peptides that have a proline residue in the second position. The mRNA levels of three different isoforms, each coded by a different gene, were determined in 16 human tissues and in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) fractions by RT-PCR. The cytosolic isoform, APP1, and the cell surface membrane-bound isoform, APP2, are expressed in all of the human tissues and PBMC fractions examined. The very high expression of APP2 mRNA in kidney compared to other tissues was confirmed by enzyme activity measurements. Among the PBMC fractions, APP2 expression is highest in resting CD8(+) T cells, but decreases in these cells following their activation with phytohemagglutinin; in contrast, expression of APP2 increases in CD4(+) T cells upon activation. The third isoform, APP3, is a hypothetical protein identified by nucleotide sequencing. A detailed analysis of its amino acid sequence confirmed that the protein is an aminopeptidase P-like enzyme with greater similarity to Escherichia coli APP than to either APP1 or APP2. Two splice variants of APP3 exist, one of which is predicted to have a mitochondrial localization (APP3m) while the other is cytosolic (APP3c). Both forms are variably expressed in all of the human tissues and PBMC fractions examined.